Hellblade 2 might be an early candidate for GOTY 2024

Announced at The Game Awards 2019 alongside the Xbox Series X, Hellblade 2 has garnered attention for using Unreal Engine 5. Trailers have displayed impressive environments and visual fidelity, heightening expectations for an official release date. Ninja Theory, known for transparency in its development cycle, has shared updates and behind-the-scenes looks, including costume design through photogrammetry and intense combat training for Melina Juergens, the actor portraying Senua.

The decision to set Hellblade 2 in Iceland, utilizing cloud-forming technology for atmospheric effects, is a reflection of Ninja Theory's commitment to creating an immersive and authentic experience. The expectation is for a more elaborate combat system, building on the simpler mechanics of the first game.

However, while the internal mock reviews set high expectations for Hellblade 2, it's important to exercise caution. It isn't unusual for a game to score high internally only to fall flat on its face at launch. Redfall, in particular, was a critical darling within Xbox before its release, although there are conflicting reports regarding this claim.

Nevertheless, one thing that Hellblade 2 has going for it is it's a cinematic, story-driven game. The original Hellblade, in spite of its simpler combat and puzzle elements, was lauded for its narrative and visual appeal, even considered a compelling headphone experience.

If Hellblade 2 can build on that, the sequel could enjoy better scores than the original did with critics.

Ultimately, the enthusiasm within the Xbox community for Hellblade 2 is evident, as it promises to deliver a thought-provoking story with cutting-edge graphics and an immersive gaming experience.

Whether or not it will be a strong contender for Game of the Year 2024 remains to be seen.

Xbox is coming off a surprisingly strong year buoyed by the commercially successful release of Starfield and the Game Pass. However, with Activision Blizzard now under the Microsoft Gaming umbrella, the expectations are even higher. It's believed that Microsoft is well aware of this and plans to address the curiosity of concerned Xbox owners with an Xbox Direct planned for this January.